Great Smoky Mountains Great Smoky Mountains National Park is world renowned for its natural beauty, the quality of its historic Southern Appalachian culture and diversity of plant and animal life.
Regulations for Commercial Vehicles Tour operators who charge passengers for a tour into Great Smoky Mountains National Park must secure a Road Based Commercial Tour CUA. Visit nps. gov / grsm / getinvolved / cua-overview. htm for details. Prior to your trip, please submit your CUA application via email to Jamie _ Sanders @ nps. gov or mail to:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Commercial Services Office 107 Park Headquarters Rd. Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Tip from Pigeon Forge If interested in tour options outside the national park where a CUA is not required call:
- Rocky Top Tours 877-315-8687- Smoky Mountain Tour Connection 865-901-9100- Liberty Receptive Tours 888-947-9777
PARK IT FORWARD PARKING PASS Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not charge an entrance fee. However, parking tags are required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes. As America’ s most-visited national park, the parking fees directly contribute to park maintenance and visitor services. A parking pass and more information is available at nps. gov / grsm / planyourvisit / fees.
Cades Cove Cades Cove is a lesson in Smoky Mountain history. Park visitors can view cabins, barns, gristmills, stores and other buildings constructed by early settlers before the area became a national park. The cove, featuring several historic sites and locales, is a special place to see via car, on foot or by bicycle. From early May until late September all day on Wednesdays, the 11-mile one-way Cades Cove Loop Road is open to bicyclists only. Bicycles can be rented at Cades Cove Trading Company.
Sugarlands Visitor Center This is the primary point of information for visitors coming to the national park. At Sugarlands, visitors can view natural history exhibits. 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Park Trails Whatever your hiking skills are, the park has trails for your enjoyment. Some favorites include:
- Sugarlands Valley Trail – A wheelchair accessible trail, located near Sugarlands Visitor Center.
- Kuwohi, formally Clingmans Dome – A picturesque drive, followed by a half-mile hike, reaches the highest point in the park.
Wildlife Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to more than 400 species of animals, including the American black bear.
Bicycling and Horseback Riding While there are no designated bicycling trails in the national park, Cades Cove Loop Road is an exceptional place for cyclers.
- On Wednesdays( early May through late September), the Loop Road is open for bicycles only.
- Guided horseback rides are available at various riding stables, including those listed below, from mid-March through late November.
Sugarlands Riding Stables: 865-436-5470 Cades Cove Riding Stables: 865-448-9009
Picnic Areas The park has several picnic facilities, including Cades Cove and Metcalf Bottoms, that include tables, grills and restrooms. For additional information on how to book pavilions visit nps. gov / grsm / planyourvisit / picnic. htm or call 865-436-1200.
Foliage Report The magnificent display of fall colors in the Smoky Mountains can start as early as mid-September, reaching its peak between mid-October and early November.
Updates are posted each year beginning in September at nps. gov / grsm / planyourvisit / fallcolor. htm.
Driving Tips Tips for driving a motorcoach in the national park can be downloaded at nps. gov / grsm.
Cell phone signals can be difficult to find in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors are invited to enjoy the quiet and listen for the call of the great outdoors.
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